The following are highlights from a recent 10-state survey (Illinois, Indiana, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, Virginia and Maryland) regarding tree-stand accidents.
Who is Falling?: The highest percentage of age groups involved in accidents include 18-24 (22 percent, 141 incidents); 55-70 (28 percent, 182 incidents); and 35-54 (42 percent, 275 incidents). Average age: 47.
Stand Types Involved: Hang-on, 31 percent; climber, 25 percent; ladder, 20 percent; and homemade, 20 percent.
When Injuries Occur: Sixty percent of treestand accidents occur off the stand (22 percent on the way down, 23 percent while climbing and 15 percent during transition from stand to steps). Forty percent of falls occur directly from the stand.
Reasons for Falls, Top Three: Fifty-five percent of treestand accidents occurred for these three reasons: human error (66…